Can this new Forum get Auckland’s Economy Going? Forgive me if I say “No” Yesterday Morning Report (Radio NZ) released an audio clip of the announcement of the creation … Continue reading Growing Auckland
Category: News
A News Post on something that has happened
Cycling – a Rehash
An Article and a Redux
I caught on Twitter yesterday this from Campbell Live:
So cue watching Campbell live for the cycling clip and article which you see here below
Future plans for Auckland cycleways announced
By Lachlan Forsyth Thursday 30 Jan 2014 7:13p.m.
Auckland Mayor Len Brown and Campbell Live reporter Lachlan Forsyth took on Auckland’s traffic this afternoon to discuss the future plans for Auckland’s cycleways.
“We’re doing around 1000km of cycle pedestrian way, we want to do that over 30 years,” says Mr Brown.
Figures from Lobby group Gen Zero suggest Auckland’s per capita investment in cycling is woeful – $5.70 compared to Dunedin’s $14.90 and Wellington’s $21. At $37, Christchurch spends more than seven times as much.
“We have not been spending enough and we will be looking to spend more, reflecting a sentiment amongst Aucklanders that we really need to have the options up,” says Mr Brown.
The Mayor has stated that he wants a higher prioritisation of cycling projects against other transport initiatives, the construction of Skypath, and a $900 million 1000 km cycle network completed over the next 30 years.
Auckland Transport already has an annual budget of $1.1 billion, overseeing more than 7000km of road.The Skypath is a much needed link for pedestrians and cyclists over the Harbour Bridge, but Mr Brown says a final decision will be made in the next few months.
“It really depends on how we go with our discussions with the Northcote community and St Mary’s Bay community.”
One problem that cyclists often come across is traffic lights not registering them. This means the lights stay red unless a car comes along.
…
Long story short it is material already covered before and unless the 2015 Long Term Plan changes the funding allocation (discussion on the LTP is later this year) we will be maintaining the status quo in building cycling infrastructure. That said I have noticed the South Auckland Local Boards being proactive with adding more cycling infrastructure ranging from the green paint, to shared paths, to even the odd dedicated cycle path, to improving intersection crossings. While it is mainly remedial works to improve existing areas none the less the respective Local Boards seem to be doing more than other areas in Auckland.
Most recent piece of remedial works was here in Manukau (I’ll get pictures when next down there)
And some examples of cycling infrastructure that is already in place and being added to over time
What does limit the Local Boards doing more is the piddly budgets they get from the main Council to carry out these kind of beneficial tasks. Sadly this 2014/2015 Annual Plan and possibly the 2015 Long Term Plan will see Local Boards get no more money to the point they could be facing cuts to their budgets. Rather unacceptable in my eyes as the Local Boards are more responsive than the Governing Body in tending to local beneficial projects…
Finally I noted on Campbell Live this:
To which I say it is time for the redux here: Cycling Accident Leaves Larger Questions To Be Answered
Some solutions that are short, medium and long term were all provided as examples.
Happenings in Auckland
Exciting Times Ahead And a Reminder on the Unitary Plan The media was full of positive stories on Auckland and the wider economy this morning. This shows increased confidence … Continue reading Happenings in Auckland
An Integrated Ticket System that is Ahead of Time and Budget
Sydney Public Transport Integrated Ticketing System Progressing Well
(Better than Auckland and Melbourne too)
We know the AT-HOP integrated ticketing scheme roll out by Auckland Transport for our public transport system has not been flash hot with delays and issues for the buses (trains and ferries when rather well). However, in Sydney their Opal public transport integrated ticketing scheme roll out is going surprisingly well and apparently ahead on time.
From Sydney Morning Herald:
Opal card use to be extended next week
- Date
- January 23, 2014 – 2:37PM
Transport Reporter
About half of all Sydney train passengers will be able to use Opal cards by the end of next week.
Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian said on Thursday that the distribution of the public transport smartcard system is ahead of schedule.
From Friday, January 31, the Opal will be available at train stations between Strathfield and Redfern, Strathfield and Hornsby, Chatswood and Wyong, and on the Epping to Chatswood line.
Announcing the latest stage of the $1.2 billion ticketing system at Strathfield Station, Premier Barry O’Farrell and Ms Berejiklian said the government was on track to ensure the card could be used on all trains, buses and ferries by the end of the year. The light rail will be added next year.
“We are slightly ahead of schedule,” Ms Berejiklian said, “but I say that without being complacent.“If you look at the way other cities around the world and around Australia have implemented integrated ticketing, it hasn’t gone without problems. It hasn’t gone without glitches,” she said.
“Even though we’ve had great success to date, we will never be complacent.”
The Opal is already available on the eastern suburbs line to Bondi Junction, on the city circle line and on the north shore line to Chatswood, all Sydney Ferries, and two bus routes.
But the take-up of the card has been fairly slow. Some public transport users have been put off by the relative cost of paying with the card, which can be more expensive than using a monthly or quarterly ticket.
Others have been waiting for it to be extended to more train stations and buses.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/opal-card-use-to-be-extended-next-week-20140123-31atu.html#ixzz2rByd0PaX
…
Well done New South Wales State Government and Sydney city. But where Auckland will have an advantage (eventually) is on integrated fares something Sydney does not seem to be doing.
Continuing from the SMH article:
Experts have criticised the decision to continue to charge people different fares when they change from one mode of transport to another. But Ms Berejiklian said she did not think users of different types of transport should subsidise the other.
“We don’t think it’s fair that people who catch trains and buses should be subsidising people who catch ferries,” she said.
“Every mode of transport costs a different amount for the government to provide, and we want to make sure it’s an open and fair system.”
About 45,000 Opal cards have been registered, and the government has not yet said when it will stop selling paper tickets.
Mr O’Farrell said queuing for a ticket would be a thing of the past. “This is particularly great news for customers on the central coast,” he said.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/opal-card-use-to-be-extended-next-week-20140123-31atu.html#ixzz2rBzR2iw7
…
None the less next time I go to Sydney on holiday I’ll try out Opal and see how it goes (last time I used the old paper ticket system and that was not that bad – especially compared to our train paper tickets for the rail network here in Auckland).
Annual Plan Submissions Now Called For
Have your say on council’s draft Annual Plan
From Auckland Council on the up coming Annual Plan (a Council budget document) submission process:
Have your say on council’s draft Annual Plan
How Auckland Council plans to invest in projects and programmes to meet the growing needs of the region are outlined in the draft Annual Plan 2014/2015 which opens for public consultation this week.
The plan details the organisation’s proposed budget, activities and investment programme for next financial year. It also includes draft local board agreements that highlight each of the board’s local priorities, projects and advocacy issues
Auckland’s continuing population growth, a public desire for higher quality infrastructure and maintenance of existing assets is driving council’s significant investment programme.
$1.8 billion of capital expenditure is planned in the next financial year, with $1.25 billion of new assets to be bought or built, including:
- $146m to continue purchasing electric trains and $193m for the next stage of the City Rail Link
- $85m for local and sports parks
- $25m to continue development of new libraries in Massey North, Te Atatu Peninsula, Devonport, Flat Bush, Takanini and Ōtāhuhu
- $19m to upgrade town centres, including New Lynn, Westgate, Devonport, Mt Albert and Pukekohe
“It is important that we continue to invest in the future, in major region-wide infrastructure, and in local communities through projects such as new libraries, town centres, parks and sports ground upgrades,” says the Mayor.
“Aucklanders want financial prudence, which is the why the draft annual plan is based on ongoing savings, a low average rate increase and judicious investment.”
The average rates increase for the 2014/2015 financial year has reduced from an average of 4.9 per cent (as projected in our 10-year long-term plan) to an average of 2.4 per cent.
The council is seeking feedback on the proposed draft Annual Plan, including the local projects and proposed budget changes raised by each local board. Through the draft annual plan the council is also consulting on:
- implementing a strategy for Eden Park, Mount Smart, Western Springs and North Harbour stadiums that involves developing new facilities, shifting some sporting codes and streamlining operations at each venue to more efficiently accommodate major events and ensure the venues’ long-term success
- delivering a wider range of benefits to Aucklanders and the creative sector by providing increased funding to the Auckland Arts Festival Trust to allow the festival become an annual event rather than every two years
Submissions on Auckland Council’s draft Annual Plan 2014/2015 open 23 January and close Monday, 24 February 2014.
More information on the draft annual plan and how to make a submission will be available online at www.annualplan.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz from 23 January.
—ends–
Annual Plan and Unitary Plan Submissions at the same time, enough to keep you bogged down for the next four weeks. None-the-less if you can do submit on the Council budget document for the 2014/2015 year.
Mayor Len Brown on upcoming Transport Projects
Generation Zero Got a Mention
And
The Roads are Staying
I caught on Twitter that Mayor Len Brown was doing an interview with Radio Live over the lunch break. It is a very long interview covering an array of topics but the one that caught my attention the most was on transport.
We know three things:
- 2015-2025 Integrated Transport Program comes out for submissions later this year
- We have a current $15 billion funding gap for the 2012-2022 ITP owing to the massive road-fest in that program
- Generation Zero along with Transport Blog are strongly advocating for the Congestion Free Network which as they claim costs less than the current ITP and actually gets Auckland moving (the current ITP won’t)
Cue this piece from Radio Live today (http://www.radiolive.co.nz/Audio.aspx) which made think “oh boy.” To get the piece go to that Radio Live audio link, select Monday 20th January, then select the 12:30pm line on the scrolling menu, wait until 4:04 mark where the Mayor talks about Generation Zero and the ITP.
It would appear from that snippet that Generation Zero and Transport Blog are going to be facing an interesting debate when it comes to the 2015-2025 Integrated Transport Program. The Mayor does support some aspects of what Generation Zero and Transport Blog are pushing like the City Rail Link. But when it comes to the motorways and roading side of the ITP (subsequently leading to the funding issue) this is where sparks could fly. In short the Mayor has said the roading projects remain and (this was a stretch) that Generation Zero had taken any new roading project off the table. The Mayor went on further saying this was not tenable and effectively even with all the public and active transport investment, that mode usage would only move from 10% current to approximately 15% – leaving 85% by car. Also remember the population is growing to volume also on both modes increases as well.
The Radio Live portal:
It seems rather underwhelming what the Mayor said when it came to transport investment. I wonder if the Councillors have other ideas and could force a change of tact with the ITP? Will have to wait and see I suppose, but least we know what we are up against.
A Case for Small Homes?
Yes and No I caught the particular long article over on the Herald on Sunday site yesterday and had a read through it. The article concerned was the “The … Continue reading A Case for Small Homes?
Happenings Around South Auckland
Busy Week it has Been In case you missed it here are some links to some articles from happenings in South Auckland that have wider effects on the City … Continue reading Happenings Around South Auckland
Option 4 of East West Link Off The Table
However, Option “3” Technically not Ruled Out Last night the ‘Respect our Community Campaign’ group broke the news on Twitter that NZTA and Auckland Transport had shelved “Option 4” … Continue reading Option 4 of East West Link Off The Table
BREAKING NEWS – EAST WEST LINK CONSIDERATION
AUCKLAND TRANSPORT RECONSIDERS EAST-WEST LINK
Updated
Coming in live via Twitter
A massive coup indeed for South Auckland.
Press release due out tomorrow but I can see even from my home in Papakura the relief , tears and joy for those that were in the firing line by the East-West Link – especially Option Four.
More tomorrow
Talking Southern Auckland 